Effect of time of pruning and peeling on the bark yield of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Pres.) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

An experiment was conducted at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to study theeffect of time of pruning and peeling on the yield of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)intercropped in an arecanut (Areca catechu) garden. Pruning and peeling was carried out at20 days interval from first week of June to August during both the years. The number ofbranches (31) and girth (19.98 cm) were significantly higher in 10th July pruning. Bark yieldtree-1 (both fresh and dry weight) was also significantly higher during 10th July (4.03 kgfresh and 1.22 kg dry weight) pruning indicating that this period is ideal for pruning andpeeling cinnamon in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. &nbsp

Technology, infrastructure and enterprise trade-off: Strengthening smallholder farming systems in Tamil Nadu State of India for sustainable income and food security

The complexities of smallholder farming systems pose a challenge in demonstrating the potential benefits or risks of new technologies and policies. Using Integrated Analysis Tool, a rule-based dynamic simulation model, this study tried to improve the performance of major farming systems in the Tamil Nadu State of India. Amongst the four major farming systems viz. Black gram-based (BFS), Paddy-based (PFS), and Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in Villupuram district and Dryland Farming System (DFS) in Virudhunagar district, IFS was found to be the most profitable and resilient based on their performance simulated for a 3-year rotation. Setting IFS as a benchmark, potential interventions were evaluated under other farming systems to improve their relative performance. The analysis allowed understanding the interactions in smallholder farming systems and the potential impact of interventions in a whole farm way considering the cash flows, cost intensity, and input-output trade-offs. While multi-bloom technology in black gram increased the net profit of BFS without much stress on input and labour, area expansion under rainfed groundnut incurred high expenditure. Trading-off paddy with maize and groundnut significantly increased the net profit of PFS but replacing sugarcane with tapioca and turmeric was not remunerative. Improved livestock management practices have substantially increased the net profit of DFS wherein crop yield could not be enhanced substantially without the prospects of good irrigation infrastructure. The irrigation endowed PFS has achieved 90% performance, whereas the water-starved BFS and DFS could achieve only 65% performance of IFS. We conclude that agricultural policy must not only focus on potential interventions that are profitable but also consider what is acceptable to the farmer, considering synergies and trade-offs between competing resources at the farm level

Traditional knowledge on Nicobari aloo (Dioscorea alata L.) among Nicobaritribal community of Car Nicobar Island, India

Nicobarese, the dominant tribe of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, rely on coconut-based cropping systems and fishingfor livelihood. The Nicobari aloo (Dioscorea alata) is valued staple food crop for the community. Diverse types ofDioscorea alata are conserved in different parts of the islands. The acquired knowledge on this food crop over thegenerations is vital for the sustenance. The Nicobarese live in joint family system called “Tuhet” which share land, coconutpalms, tuber crops and livestock. Each tuhet cultivates different varieties of Nicobari aloo along with other crops. It wasobserved and documented that this tribe cultivate Nicobari aloo in traditional way even at present, as natural/organic farmingpractices without using fertilisers and chemicals. The community makes away of preparations of Nicobari aloo tubers forregular consumption as well as during village festivals. This paper documents the traditional knowledge of the tribe on thistuber species, varieties, cultivation and utilisation

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Not AvailableNoni (Morinda citrifolia L.) a tropical fruit belongs to the family Rubiaceae, commonly known as Indian Mulberry. It is a small tree that grows to a normal height around 10 to 30 feet in about 5 to 8 years. The fruits are irregular in shape, 7.5 to 15 cm long, ovoid green at unripe stage, turning yellowish-white colour, soft and creamy at maturity.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe study was conducted at Forest College and research institute, Mettupalayam, during November-2011 to March-2012, to know the effect of manures and fertilizers on biochemical parameter of the Dalbergia latifolia seedlings. Among the fourteen different treatments, the treatment with 100 mg of N, 200 mg of P2O5 and 100 mg of K2O along with vermicompost (5g), Azophos (10g) and VAM (5g) per seedlings showed significantly maximum chlorophyll ‘a’ content, chlorophyll ‘b’ and total chlorophyll content (2.00 mg g-1, 1.03 mg g-1and 3.73 mg g-1 respectively). Which was followed by 100 mg of N, 200 mg of P2O5 and 100 mg of K2O along with vermicompost (5g) and Azophos (10g) per seedlings showed seedling attributes viz., chlorophyll ‘a’ content, chlorophyll ‘b’ and total chlorophyll content (1.85 mg g-1, 0.83 mg g-1and 3.42 mg g-1 respectively). Dalbergia latifolia seedlings bio-chemical parameter viz., chlorophyll ‘a’ content, chlorophyll ‘b’ and total chlorophyll content in control was remarkably low throughout the experiment.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSoutheast Asia hosts a great diversity of different rattan genotypes. There are 5 genera and 60 different species of rattan in India. The natural reserves of this species have come under the threat of genetic erosion due to overexploitation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This investigation was focused at characterizing 12 rattan genotypes of the genera Calamus, Korthalsia and Daemonorops which yield rattans of commercial importance, based on RAPD and ISSR fingerprints. PCR amplifications with 8 RAPD primers gave an average of 7.37 selected markers/primers, with a maximum of 10 (OPA-4) and minimum of 6 (OPE-02 & OPE-06). Percentage of polymorphic bands ranged from 50 – 70% in RAPD primers. Among 59 selected bands 36 (61.0) were polymorphic. The amplification with seven ISSR primers generated 53 bands and 30(56.60 %) were polymorphic. The highest polymorphism was observed in OPA -7 (75%) in RAPD and IS16 (71.45%) in ISSR. RAPD primers recorded more polymorphism as compare to ISSR primers. The overall average polymorphism of 12 accessions using 15 primers was 58.92 %. Unique fingerprints for 10 Calamus, 1 Korthalsia and 1 Daemonorops genotypes were detected. The outcomes presented in this paper demonstrated the utility of RAPD and ISSR markers in elucidating patterns of genetic variation among genotypes of the three main rattan genera of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and in identifying individual genotypes, which may serve as potential sources of unique genetic material for genetic improvement and conservation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to study the effect of time of pruning and peeling on the yield of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) intercropped in an arecanut (Areca catechu) garden. Pruning and peeling was carried out at 20 days interval from first week of June to August during both the years. The number of branches (31) and girth (19.98 cm) were significantly higher in 10th July pruning. Bark yield tree-1 (both fresh and dry weight) was also significantly higher during 10th July (4.03 kg fresh and 1.22 kg dry weight) pruning indicating that this period is ideal for pruning and peeling cinnamon in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableKaranj is a medium sized tree. Native to humid and subtropical environments, mature trees can withstand water logging and slight frost. A thick yellow-orange to brown oil is extracted from seeds. The oil has a bitter taste and a disagreeable aroma, thus it is considered as non- edible oil. In India, the oil is used as a fuel for cooking and burning of lamps. The oil is also used as a lubricant, water-paint binder, pesticide, and in soap making and tanning industries. Seeds of Karanj have about 30-35 percent oil and upto 27-28 percent oil can be expressed in crusher and most of the physical and chemical properties of the oil are almost similar to those of the diesel. Thirty seed sources of Pongamia pinnata were collected from Different Agro Climatic Region of Tamilnadu. Tree height varied from 5.48 m to 7.19 m and DBH also varied significantly among all CPTs. Crown diameter varied from 5.30 m to 6.96 m. The seed oil content varied from 38.70 to 41.54 percent was recorded. These seed sources can be further screened for tree improvement traits considering their immense value in yielding bio diesel.Not Availabl